By Baptist Message staff SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Mark Sutton, a former president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, died Feb. 1. He was 78. According to his obituary, Sutton was a graduate of Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and pastored multiple churches throughout his time in ministry: Simpson Baptist Church, Simpson; L’Eglise Évangélique Baptiste, Lyon, France; Immanuel Baptist Church, Hammond; and Brookwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. He also served as Baptist Message board member (1986-1991), LBC president (1993-1995), Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board member (1994-1996) and Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association moderator (2003-2005), according to the Annual Church Profile. “We are deeply saddened by the news of Mark Sutton’s death,” Brookwood Baptist Pastor David Rice told the Baptist Message. “Brother Mark faithfully pastored Brookwood for 21 years with visionary leadership, a sharp wit, and a deep sense of his own humanity. He leaves behind a legacy of commitment to sharing the gospel around the world, preaching God’s Word without apology, and loving God’s people without prejudice. As the current pastor it is an honor and a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – More than 100 CENLA Life March participants braved the chilly temperatures to proclaim their love for life as they continue to fight for the rights of the unborn. David Jeffreys, vice president of denominational and church relations with Louisiana Christian University, welcomed the crowd at the starting point of the march, Jan. 31. He thanked them for their commitment to the pro-life movement. “We have made many strides in the right to life movement through the last few years, but we have a long way to go,” said Jeffreys, who recently was elected the next president and CEO of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries. “And you being here shows commitment to that. We, as Louisiana Baptists, partner with our other brothers and sisters in Christ, to say that we love the unborn. We love the mothers and the fathers, and we are here to do and to help to everything we can to make sure those babies are taken care of and see life.” In his prayer before marchers began their 1.4-mile journey from LCU to the banks of the Red River, Jeffreys asked for God’s continued hand on the fight for life. “Lord, we just continue to pray for the state … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) - A week after Winter Storm Fern knocked out power to thousands and scattered debris across properties in north Louisiana, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been busy helping those impacted. Since Jan. 27, a feeding team from Rolling Hills Ministries in Ruston has prepared 2,200 meals, collectively, in West Monroe, Monroe and Rayville. Additionally, since Jan. 29, teams from Lake Charles, CENLA, Covington and Denham Springs (working out of McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe) have assessed 79 homes and completed 32 of the 127 chainsaw jobs that have been requested by individuals. Louisiana teams at First Baptist Church, Schwartz, have shared the Gospel 13 times, prayed with 26 individuals, distributed six Bibles and recorded 45 showers taken on-site. Meanwhile, Arkansas Baptist DR chainsaw and feeding, Missouri laundry and Texas shower teams are working out of First Baptist Church, Delhi, while Arkansas chainsaw and shower teams are stationed at Providence Church (non-denominational), Lake Providence. Louisiana Baptist DR Associate/Volunteer Mobilizer Mark Morelock asked for continued prayers as teams continue to pick up the pieces and … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff (based on LBCHFM press release) MONROE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries trustees announced, Jan. 30, that David Jeffreys has been elected the next president and chief executive officer of the entity, effective Feb. 16. Jeffreys serves as vice president of denominational and church relations with Louisiana Christian University, where he also was executive vice president and chief operating officer (2022-2024) and acting president of the university (March 2024-May 2025) during the presidential search. A LBCHFM news release cited Jeffreys’ “wealth of experience in Christian leadership, ministry development and organizational oversight” and his “huge heart for children and families, his commitment to biblical values and his proven ability to lead organizations with vision, integrity and compassion [the hat] are visible in every role he has held.” The trustees also expressed confidence in Jeffreys’ leadership and calling. “We are grateful to God for leading us to Dr. Jeffreys, his passion for ministry, servant-leadership and love for people align perfectly with the mission of LBCH&FM. We believe God has prepared him for this season,” said Search Committee … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff TULLOS, La. (LBM) – Pastor Steven Smith is grateful for God’s protection after a tree fell a mere 15 feet from his bedroom in the parsonage of the Tullos First Baptist Church, Jan. 25. Smith said he was alone, 6:30 a.m., when he was “jolted” from his bed by the sound of a crashing tree. He immediately grabbed a flashlight and found nearby gaping holes and limbs where the tree had landed, and he discovered it missed by just inches a gas line that ran underneath the house. “As I was taking pictures of the incident there were still limbs falling from other trees all around,” Smith told the Baptist Message. “God was watching over me as always,” Smith told the Baptist Message. “I thank Him that no one was in the room that received the most damage.” Smith and others from the church were able to remove the tree, Jan. 26, and place a tarp on the roof the following day. They are working with the insurance company about the damage claim. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist col­legiate ministry leaders hope to equip students to discuss apologetics as well as share their faith and beliefs during the upcom­ing Collegiate Evangelism Conference, set for Feb. 6-7 in Louisiana Christian University’s Guinn Audito­rium, Pineville. CEC 2026 will feature three speakers: Matthew James, vice president of enrollment with New Orleans Baptist Theologi­cal Seminary; Joey Smith, pastor of Grayson Baptist Church; and Tommy Ki­ker, pastor of East Leesville Baptist Church. Crescent City Worship, a collaborative team of NOBTS students, faculty, alumni and friends, will lead music. Students will have a chance to attend break­out sessions that center around the conference theme, as well as to ask representatives of Louisi­ana BCM GOLA Missions, the International Mission Board and New Orleans Baptist Theological Sem­inary about missions and ministry opportunities. CEC registration be­gins Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. with the main session starting at 7:30 p.m. The confer­ence concludes Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff MONROE, La. (LBM) – The first Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been activated for a response to Winter Storm Fern. LBDR State Director Stan Statham told the Baptist Message that an Incident Management Team, chaplains and assessors already are on the ground in the Monroe area and that chainsaw teams will arrive on Jan. 31. A LBDR team will manage a site for teams working out of McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe and while an Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief team will operate a site for volunteers at First Baptist Church, Delhi. Additionally, a feeding team from Rolling Hills Ministries is preparing food for an American Red Cross shelter at Liller Maddox Marbles Community Center in Monroe and for Emergency Operations Center workers in Richland Parish. Their team also will begin providing meals at a location yet to be determined in Lake Providence. Winter Storm Fern extended 1,300 miles and covered many communities with ice, sleet and snow, canceled flights, closed roadways, downed power lines and trees and contributed to at least 80 deaths. To give to DR efforts, visit https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Royal Ambassadors in the state experienced growth in 2025, and state leaders say the ministry is poised for another banner year. Attendance at the annual Survivor Camp saw its highest attendance since before COVID, and additional chapters were added. Additionally, Callen Breaux, a sixth grader from Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, won the national Royal Ambassador Pinewood Derby during the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Dallas, the second consecutive year the winner was an RA from Louisiana. Louisiana Baptist RA Consultant Steven Ancelet said he has witnessed first-hand how RAs has positively impacted boys to grow into Christ-like young men. “It has shaped their world view and what they can do to spread the Gospel,” Ancelet told the Baptist Message. “It seems that ministers and church staff are seeing the value in RAs also. Some churches have moved away from RAs in recent years and are now returning to it. “The special thing about RAs that separates it from other biblically based training for boys is that RAs has a mission focus,” he continued. “These boys understand that they can make a difference in the world through … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Baptist Message, Louisiana Baptists’ news service, will con­tinue publishing a print edition through December 2026, then begin dig­ital-only operations in January 2027. The transition from a print product has been studied since 2024, according to Will Hall, the Baptist Mes­sage execu­tive editor. “I conducted a Nehemiah Walk of our operations as well as looked at other Baptist newspa­pers around the country to better understand how to move forward with our ministry,” he said, noting that he also looked at generational trends in how individuals prefer to receive their news. “I also looked at various ways to structure a financial model that works for continuing the Baptist Message into the future,” Hall said. Finances are a considerable factor in the decision because the news service expects a $100,000 drop in revenue after 2026. Hall said the shortfall would have forced the Baptist Message to increase sub­scriptions by at least $5 per customer, adding that “prudence would dictate an increase of up to $10 per subscriber so that we would not be chasing funding all the time.” “I do not, and our trust­ees do not believe this is a cost our … [Read more...]